”
So you write a column,
”
the nattily dressed gentleman beside me made small talk as we
waited in line at the bank.
”
Yes,
”
I answered,
”
It’s in the paper on Fridays.
”
“So you write a column,” the nattily dressed gentleman beside me made small talk as we waited in line at the bank.
“Yes,” I answered, “It’s in the paper on Fridays.”
“I want you to know I voted for you on city council,” he then proudly added. “It’s about time for another woman on the council.”
Oops! As one Kat to another, I have to confess that when I sometimes get mistaken for Councilwoman Cat Tucker while talking to folks around town, I am not always quick to disabuse them of this notion. Although we look nothing alike, we are both “Kats” and our last names begin with the same sound, contain three of the same letters, and are both six letters long.
Cat Tucker tells me that when her aunt called her “Cat” as a pet name in her teen years (her middle name is Cathy), “The name just stuck; it was different and that was the ’70s when all the new mothers were naming their babies “Star” and “Sunshine;” it was considered cool. At that time, nobody was called Cat, and so I kept it when I moved to San Jose when I was 19.”
Cat’s story about her name and letters from our readers inspired this week’s column. By sending in their suggestions for renaming the column, known for more than six years now as “Take 2,” a number of readers have let us know they seem to feel it’s time for a change, and now that more people are accessing the newspaper online, they say it should be more intuitive for them to find.
Names such as Kat Talk, Kat Chat, and Kat Tales, have been suggested by more than one reader. Others wrote in asking for From the Katbird’s seat, Katchy Kat, KataKorner, Kat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Katalyst. Another wrote: “Then there’s Kat’s-eye’: kinda like this one. Has that image of a watchful, attentive cat’s-eye. Or how about Community Kat Chat – that says it all.”
Tracy Notman, an imaginative reader in Virginia, wrote to suggest: “How about something along the lines of: A Kat’s Perspective, How About That Kat, Kat’s Look At That, Chitchat Kat, Hep Kat, Koffee House Kat, Kat Bird Seat, Kat About Town, Kat Pause, Kat Tale. I agree it needs a change – it’s about time! I always put your name in as a search since it was easier that way to call up all your articles. But I didn’t know your column even had a name for the longest time either, so this is a good move to draw the reader to you and make it easier for those who enjoy reading you to find you online.”
My husband Steve happened by the computer and read a few of the names over my shoulder, helpfully adding, “Why not just call it Kat Litter … or Kat Krap?” “Katcall, Kat ‘o nine tales” came in from another reader who wished to remain anonymous, suggesting, “It could be Katerwaul if your personality was more like Cynthia Walker’s, haha. How about Katsup for those who like to catch up with news while eating?”
From Delores Kirchner: “Kat Trap, Kataround, Kat-alog, and Kats’ Up.” From Janice Krahenbuhl: “Kat Tales. Of course. You’re always telling everyone’s story.” From Claudia Salewske: “I like Kat Chat or Kat’s Corner – Or maybe KatTales – although that may imply creative writing, which misses the focus of your perspicacious column writing.” I’m not sure what “perspicacious” means, so while I go look it up, please send in your column name preferences to: ka****@*****on.net or 777 First St. PMB 123, Gilroy, CA 95020.
